Caution, Tiger: The British Is Coming!

As much as Fore!BlackGolfers anticipates watching Tiger Woods compete in next week’s U.S. Open at Bethpage Black, we can’t help but relish the drama set to ensue a month later, on the Ailsa Course at Turnberry, England, even more.
Winning a 15th Major tournament (and a fourth U.S. Open) should solidify in any analyst’s mind that Woods is fully “back” from his season-ending knee surgery in 2008.
But , win or lose at the 2009 U.S. Open, Tiger is certain to attract even more attention at the British Open (July 16-19) because its greater potential to sway golf history.
If Tiger wins this year at Bethpage Black, the golf world will hum relentlessly about how much closer he is to snapping Jack Nicklaus’ record of 18 major victories. And if he loses the U.S. Open, he'll have only two more chances in 2009 to win at least one more Major to his list of accomplishments.
And there’s no guarantee that Woods’ surgically repaired knee will hold up long enough for him to play at full throttle during the August 13-16 PGA Championship (which he’s won twice) at Hazeltine.
So, go ahead and enjoy viewing what unfolds at Bethpage Black as much as we will. Still, give some forethought to how much historical significance this year’s British Open may hold.
COMING NEXT...Reasons why the new British Open course will cause Woods problems
Photo: flickr/richard carter